Caldera - Sky Islands

Caldera released their second album, Sky Islands in 1977 produced by Eduardo del Barrio, Jorge Strunz and Larry Dunn. The super group expands on the ethnic influenced compositions and comes across with a consistently superb follow-up to their debut album. This time the band consists of keyboardist Eduardo del Barrio (Argentina), guitarist Jorge Strunz (Costa Rica), bassist Dean Cortez (U.S.), saxophonist Steve Tavaglione (U.S), drummer Carlos Vega (born in Cuba) and percussionists Mike "Baiano" Azevedo (Brazil) and Hector Andrade. Guest musicians include keyboardist Larry Dunn of Earth Wind & Fire fame, little known at the time singer Dianne Reeves, drummer Chester Thompson of Weather Report and Genesis fame, Ralph Rickert on flugelhorn, percussionists Ray Armando and Steve Barrios Jr. plus a string section arranged and conducted by George Del Barrio. Rip generously provided by Smooth of the former blog My Jazz World. Finally this album has been released on CD by EMI Japan and is available on limited quantities from Amazon and other sources as you can see below.

Track Listing:

1. Sky Islands
2. Ancient Source
3. It Used To Be
4. Pegasus
5. Carnavalito (sampled above)
6. Seraphim
7. Indigo Fire
8. Triste
9. Pescador

Buy it from Amazon US or Amazon France or from Audiophile Imports

Caldera - Caldera

Caldera was one of the most innovative jazz-fusion super groups of the late 70s. An All-star line-up of studio musicians who deeply embedded soul, funk, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms, Andean influenced music and beautiful melodies to create a magnificent real fusion melting pot. They truly lived and breathed their ethnic cultural heritages through their music. Members were keyboardist Eduardo del Barrio (Argentina), guitarist Jorge Strunz (Costa Rica), bassist Dean Cortez (United States), saxophonist Steve Tavaglione United States), drummer & world famous session player the late Carlos Vega (Cuba) and percussionist Mike "Baiano" Azevedo (Brazil). In 1976, Caldera signed with Capitol Records and recorded this self-titled debut album produced by Wayne Henderson of Crusaders fame. The band called it quits in 1979. Strunz went on to form the guitar duo Strunz & Farah with Iranian/Persian guitarist Ardeshir Farah, Eduardo del Barrio went on to work with artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Stan Getz and Dianne Reeves, Steve Tavaglione went on to work as a solo artist and session player, Dean Cortez left the group after two albums to join pop singer Boz Scaggs and then the group Hiroshima and Carlos Vega went on to work as a world class drummer with artists such as James Taylor until his death in April 7th, 1998. On this album they are supported by Raul De Souza (Brazil) on trombone, Roberto da Silva (Brazil) on percussion and Carolyn Dennis (U.S) on vocals. Unfortunately the CD is out of print.

Track Listing:

1. Guanacaste (sampled above)
2. Coastin'
3. Exaltation
4. Synesthesia
5. Out Of The Blue
6. El Juguete

Download

Stardrive featuring Robert Mason

Synth pioneer Robert Mason released this sophomore effort in 1974 on Columbia Records. It further develops the synthesizer as a lead instrument. Keyboardist, Robert Mason uses his multi-voiced synthesizers to create funky spacey innovative experimental sounds that really rock. The live energy of the backing real instruments makes this a kind of ELP (Emerson Lake & Palmer) without the organ. Now 35 years later and thanks to Wounded Bird Records this album sounds better now than it did when it was released. Personnel is Robert Mason on synthesizer, Howard Rego on drums, Harvey Sarch on guitar and Jaime Austria on bass.

Track Listing:

1. Funkascensions
2. Ballad I
3. Jupiterjump
4. Pulsar (sampled above)
5. Ballad II
6. Air Sauce
7. Ballad III
8. Journey

Buy it at Wounded Bird Records or Amazon Stardrive

Stardrive - Intergalactic Trot

Stardrive's Intergalactic Trot (with Robert Mason) first album released in 1973 is a significant contribution to the development of the synthesizer as a fulyl devoted instrument. At the time this album was recorded all synthesizers were only capable of playing only one or two notes at the time. As stated on the liner notes “Using a few pre-constructed parts plus a lot of custom-designed electronic gear and great ingenuity, Robert Mason has built the world’s first multi-voiced synthesizer that can be played like a real keyboard instrument with full chords and tonal clusters. All the music on this album was performed live on the Stardrive synthesizer, thus accounting for the unprecedented fullness and spontaneity of the electronic sound.” Although the compositions and covers are not as appealing this is a curiosity item worth having. Personnel are keyboardist Robert Mason, Michael Brecker on saxophones, Steve Gadd on drums, Harvey Sarch on guitar, Jaime Austria on bass and Bruce Ditmas on percussion. Originally issued in 1973, it is now making its worldwide CD debut thanks to Wounded Bird Records.

Track Listing:

1. Rushes (sampled above)

2. Strawberry Fields Forever
3. Stardrive
4. Dr. Tandem
5. Want To Take You Higher
6. Everything at Once
7. Intergalactic Trot

Buy it at Wounded Bird Records or Amazon Intergalactic Trot

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Chasers

The formidable duo of bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown recorded Chaser for Columbia in 1979. This time they produced yet another solid fusion effort blending jazz, rock, funk and a bit of disco. Unlike their third album Still Can't Say Enough, it departs from the vocals and it concentrates on formidable instrumentals. It features Eef Alberts and Darryl Thompson on guitars, Kenneth Knudsen on keyboards and synthesizers, Palle Mikkelborg on trumpet and Bobby Malach on tenor sax. Rip generously provided by Smooth of the former blog My Jazz World.

Track Listing:

1. Chaser
2. Will It Last?
3. Fate Ripper
4. Daily Planets
5. Celebration
6. What It If (sampled above)
7. New Waves
8. Prospect Park

Download

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Still Can't Say Enough

Still Can't Say Enough is the third of four albums by the formidable rhythm section duo of bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown. Just as their 1975's Mango Sunrise, this album is also produced by Skip Drinkwater. It’s a perfect fusion of jazz, rock and funk that features Reggie Lucas and Ray Gomez on guitars, Hubert Eaves, Harold Ivory Williams IV and Rob Franken on keyboards, Ian Underwood on synthesizers and Mtume on congas and percussion. A horn with jazz luminaries as Randy Brecker and Jon Faddis on trumpets, Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts on tenor sax, David Sanborn and Gary Bartz on alto sax, Barry Rodgers on trombone and Ron Cuber on baritone sax. Vocals are provided by Donald Liston Smith, Tawatha Agee and C.P. Alexander. Even thou I have included a Rip from vinyl generously provided by Smooth of the former blog My Jazz World, this album has finally seen the light on CD as it's been released as a Japanese import available at Amazon US, Amazon Europe and at Dusty Groove to name a few.

Track Listing:

1. Freeze It Up
2. Love The Way You Make Me Feel
3. Rise On (sampled above)
4. Funky Row
5. Talkin’ ‘Bout The Right One
6. Strut ‘N’ Get Up
7. Breakin’
8. Down The Way
9. Out The Box

Buy at Dusty Groove, Amazon US or Amazon EU.

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Mango Sunrise

The formidable duo of bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown recorded and played with fusion-oriented group, The Chris Hinze Combination, Joachim Kuhn and other jazz artists while living in Europe. After recording their debut album, Infinite Jones (Keytone, 1974, later reissued on CD as Bamboo Madness) they returned to America in 1975 and signed with the Blue Note label. Mango Sunrise was their first album for Blue Note. Produced by Skip Drinkwater it features Philip Catherine, Eef Alberts and Wah Wah Watson on guitars, Rob Franken, Eric Tagg, Mike Mandel and Jasper Van’t Hof on Keyboards and synthesizers. Even thou I have provided a Rip from vinyl generously provided by Smooth of former blog My Jazz World, it seems this album will finally be released on CD as seen on Dusty Groove.

Track Listing:

1. Mango Sunrise
2. Breakfast Of Champions
3. Ethereal Cereal (sampled above)
4. Keep It Real
5. The Stop And Go
6. Her Celestial Body
7. Pickin' The Bone
8. Haida
9. Magnum Opus

Pre-order it from Dusty Groove.

John Lee & Gerry Brown - Bamboo Madness (aka Infinite Jones)

Bassist John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown released this LP in 1974 on Keytone Records label. These two outstanding musicians teamed up as the basic rhythm sections for many outstanding performers and their recordings, such as Chris Hinze, Joachim Kuhn, Stanley Clarke, Joe Henderson, Max Roach, Jasper Van’t Hoff and Toots Thielemans just to name a few. In this funky, Jazzy first outing they are joined by Gary Bartz on alto & soprano saxophones, Chris Hinze on flute, alto & bass flute, piccolo, bamboo flute, Henny Vonk on vocals & percussion, Howard Kinng on percussion, Rob van de Broek, Hubert Eaves & Jasper Van 't Hof on piano and Wim Stolwijk on piano and voice.

Track Listing:

1. Infinite Jones (sampled above)

2. Deliverance

3. Jua

4. Abistively Posolutely

5. Rise On

6. Who Can See The Shadow of the Moon

7. Bamboo Madness

Buy it from Timeless Records or

Jasper Van't Hof - Eye Ball

Pianist Jasper Van’t Hof released this album in 1974 on the Keytone Record Label. Jasper Van’t Hof jazz style is based on the blues, swing, bebop, and free jazz mixed with rock influences. He was a member of the Pierre Courbois Association and later formed the group Pork Pie featuring the late Charlie Mariano. Produced by Chris Hinze, this jazz-fusion cult classic has become one of the pianist’s trademark albums. Bass player John Lee and drummer Gerry Brown provide their incredible energy as the rhythm section and they are joined by Wim Overgaauw on guitars and the late polish violinist Zbigniew Seifert.

Track Listing:

1. Bax

2. Viper Snake

3. Eyeball I

4. Hyrax (sampled above)

5. Schwester Johanna

6. Laur

7. One Leg Missing

8. Eyeball II

9. The Rev

Buy it from Timeless Records or

Toots Thilemans - Two Generations

Jean 'Toots' Thielemans achieved worldwide recognition as the world’s most renowned harmonica player through his playing with the Benny Goodman Sextet, the George Shearing Quintet and in film music themes such as Midnight Cowboy, The Getaway and the TV series Sesame Street. His own composition, Bluesette (sampled below), is one of the most popular jazz waltzes in the world. He has performed and recorded with such greats as Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Paul Simon and many more. This Chris Hinze production finds Thilemans playing many different styles accompanied by the funky rhythm section of John Lee on bass and Gerry Brown on drums, plus a group of gifted talents like Philip Catherine on guitar, Joachim Kuhn on keyboards and Chris Hinze on flute.

Track Listing:

1. Bluesette (sampled above)
2. Be Be Creole
3. Monologue
4. Two Generations
5. Why Did I Choose You
6. Uncle Charlie
7. Friday Night
8. T.T. Toots Thielemans
9. Inner Journey
10. L'eternal Mari

Buy it from Timeless Records or Amazon Two Generations or

David Sancious - Forest of Feelings

David Sancious released his first LP in 1975 right after he left Bruce Springsteen’s backing group, The E-Street Band. On this revolutionary and amazing balance between jazz and rock, Sancious plays everything except drums and bass. The power trio crosses lyricism with raw power. Personnel consists of is David Sancious on piano, guitars, organ, keyboards, percussion, vocals and bells, Gerald Carboy on bass, Ernest Carter on drums and percussion. Billy Cobham produced it and played Timpani on a few tracks. Reissued in the 90’s with a *previously unreleased track but now available (2014) thanks to the iniciative and effort of Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records.

Track Listing:

1. Suite Cassandra (sampled above)

2. Come on If You Feel up to It (And Get Down)

3. East India

4. Dixie/March of the Conditioned Souls

5. Dixie/Civil War of the Soul

6. The Forest of Feelings

7. Joyce, No. 8

8. Crystal Image

9. One Time

10. Further in the Forest of Feelings

11. Promsise of Light* (Bonus Track)

Buy at Amazon (US) or Amazon (France)

David Sancious & Tone - Transformation (The Speed of Love)

Multi-instrumentalist David Sancious released his second LP in 1976. This is a timeless masterpiece where the jazz power trio concept melts into the realm of fusion and blues. It is amazing considering that Sancious recorded virtuoso basic tracks only to then over-dubb outstanding solos and textures. This is unarguably portrayed on “The Play and Display of the Heart” where he plays both piano and guitar. Personnel consists of David Sancious on piano, guitars, organ, keyboards, percussion, vocals and bells, Gerald Carboy on bass, Ernest Carter on drums and percussion plus Gayle Moran (Chick Corea’s wife) on vocal chords. Produced by David Sancious and Bruce Botnick. Reissued by Wounded Bird Records and now reissued once again on CD in 2014 by Esoteric Recordings/Cherry Red Records.

Track Listing:

1. Piktor’s Metamorphosis

2. Sky Church Hymn #9

3. The Play And Display Of The Heart (sampled above)

4. Transformation (The Speed Of Love)

Buy it from Wounded Bird Records or Buy it at Amazon

Buy 2014 Version at Amazon (US) or Amazon (France)

David Sancious & Tone - Dance of the Age of Enlightement

Multi-instrumentalist David Sancious DID NOT officially release his third LP in 1976. As the story goes, on the day on the day of its release David Sancious's former label, Epic Records, sued his new label, Arista Records, to block the album from being sold in stores. Since then It has been considered the “Holy Grail” for David Sancious fans. The dispute between over ownership rights has keep this classic incredible album shelved for years. This is another amazing outing by David Sancions. Although at times the tracks seem like studio outtakes from the first two albums it is amazing that they sound better than many artists’ releases. It was then reissued on CD by an obscure Japanese label, Tachika Records. Note: Many sources on the Internet label Tachika Records as pirate bootleggers and the reissue CD by them certainly seems to be non-official, since the artwork is simply home-made. The CD round label is just a sticker and the inner artwork is just a Xerox copy of the inner sleeve of the “Transformation” inner record sleeve by the same artist so we can only assume that the personnel is the same power trio consisting of is David Sancious on piano, guitars, organ, keyboards, percussion, vocals and bells, Gerald Carboy on bass, Ernest Carter on drums and percussion plus vocals.

Track Listing:

1. Overture – Wake Up (To a Brand New Day)

2. 1st Movement (Dance of the Glory and Playfulness)

3. 2nd Movement (Dance of Purification) (sampled above)

4. The Dawn

5. 3rd Movement (Part I & II)

6. 4th Movement (Dance of Serenity and Strength)

7. Finale - Gone Is The Veil of Illusion (Part I)

8. Finale - Dance of Gratitude and Devotion (Part II)

Download

David Sancious & Tone - True Stories

Multi-instrumentalist David Sancious released his third official LP in 1978 on Arista Records. It was then reissued on CD in 2001 by One Way Records (sadly out-of-print). A spiritual album which transcends musical boundaries through its powerful compositions, virtuoso playing, spiritual themes and soulful singing. The trio format which he has been the basis of his preceding recordings remains the core of this amazing classic but there is a very strong vocal spiritual presence which makes this album unique. Personnel is David Sancious on piano, guitars, organ, keyboards, percussion, vocals and bells, Gerald Carboy on bass, Ernest Carter on drums and percussion, Alex Ligertwood (of Brian Auger's Oblivion Express and Santana fame) on lead vocals, Brenda Madison and Gail Boggs on background vocals. Produced by Eddie Offord (of Yes and ELP fame) and Sancious.

Track Listing:
1. Sound of Love
2. Move On
3. Prelude #3
4. On The Inside
5. Fade Away (sampled above)
6. Ever The Same
7. Interlude
8. Matter of Time

Download

David Sancious - Just As I Thought

Multi-instrumentalist David Sancious released this LP in 1979 on Arista Records. It was then reissued on CD in 2001 by One Way Records (sadly out-of-print). The trio format which has been the basis of his preceding recordings remains the core of this amazing fusion classic full of fierce virtuoso playing, rich textures and great compositions. David Sancious on piano, keyboards, guitar & bass, Ernest Carter on drums & percussion, T.M. Stevens and Jeff Berlin on bass, Kabir Ghani on lead vocals, Eve Otto harp, plus female choir by Brenda Madison. Produced by early Yes & ELP producer Eddy Offord along with Sancious.

Track Listing:
1. Run
2. Just As I Thought
3. Again
4. The Naked I
5. Valley Of The Shadow (sampled above)
6. Suite (For The End Of An Age)
7. Remember
8. And Then She Said
9. Again (Part II)

Download

David Sancious - The Bridge

Multi-instrumentalist David Sancious released this beautiful solo piano (with a few acoustic guitars and keyboards) album in 1983 on the Elektra Musician label. He is best know for his progressive work in the 1970’s although he was one of the early members of Bruce Springsteen’s backing group, The E Street Band. He has also done some superb session work with artists such as Stanley Clarke, Narada Michael Walden, Zucchero, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Dupree, Billy Cobham, Jack Bruce and Sting among many others. This amazing rip from the LP was generously provided by Smooth of the late blog My Jazz World.

Track Listing:

1. What If?
2. Sunday
3. Silent Scenes
4. Invisible Dance
5. Sleight Of Hand
6. The Eyes Have It
7. Morning
8. Flight Of Light
9. The Bridge (sampled above)

Download

Robbie Dupree with David Sancious

This very intimate and rare production released in 2003 features a duo between Robbie Dupree on vocals and harmonica and David Sancious on acoustic piano. They perform a collection of some of Dupree’s most memorable songs minus the hit “Steal Away”, which surprisingly does not appear on this production. These are well crafted renditions of Mr. Dupree’s repertoire simplified in instruments but enriched with re-harmonization, beautifully performed by Mr. Dupree’s silk vocals and Mr. Sancious’ smooth yet fierce playing. The mood of the whole collection makes it a pleasure to listen to even if you’re not a fan of Robbie Dupree and even if you have never heard these songs before. The is an artist exclusive release.

Track Listing:

1. Carried Away

2. Month of Sundays

3. Walls Come Down

4. This is Life

5. Return to Her

6. Wings

7. Desperation

8. Real Life (sampled above)

9. Sunny Day

CD available at Robbie Dupree's website or

Michel Colombier - Michel Colombier

Recorded back in 1979, this amazing album is a remarkable achievement of beauty, force, passion and Fusion. The late bassist Jaco Pastorius plays as soloist with incomparable sensitivity on the tracks “Dreamland” and “Birdsong”. Also featured are Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour on guitar, Peter Erskine and Steve Gadd on drums, Herbie Hancock on keyboards, Tom Scott and Michael Brecker on sax, Airto Moreira on percussion and the London Symphony Orchestra. Bravo, the CD has been reissued again and it is available at Audiophile Imports.

Track listing:

1. Sunday

2. Take Me Down

3. Dreamland (sampled above)

4. Queens Road

5. Overture

6. Bird Song

7. Layas

8. Do It

9. Spring

10. The Dancing Bull

11. Autumn Land

Buy it a Audiophile Imports

Michel Colombier - Old Fool Back On Earth

Michel Colombier (May 23, 1939 - November 14, 2004), was a French composer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor who collaborated with prestigious artists including Charles Aznavour, Serge Gainsbourg, Beach Boys, Supertramp, Herb Alpert, Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Neil Diamond, Herbie Hancock, Earth Wind and Fire, Joni Mitchell, David Sanborn, Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Jaco Pastorius and Madonna. His legendary album Wings, earned him three Grammy Award. He scored more than one hundred feature, cable, and television films including White Nights, Against All Odds and the legendary Purple Rain, for which he won a Grammy as well as an Academy Award for Best Song Score. “Old Fool Back on Earth” has to be his masterpiece. In his own words: “This is the story I dreamed when I heard this music, but feel free to dream your own”. Part classical, part jazz, part cinematic but always beautiful, it appeals to any music lover. It features the London Symphony Orchestra, Ernie Watts on all sax solo parts, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Alex Ligertwood, Wayne Anthony and Phil Perry on vocals, Abraham Laboriel on bass, Chester Thompson and Fernando Toussaint on drums, Paulinho Da Costa and Alex Acuna on percussion, LA horn section and background vocals. A great story and beautiful artwork by Jean-Michel Folon and Milton Glaser. Complete biography. Album details and artwork. The CD is out-of-print but it is available at iTunes.

Track Listing as it appears on the CD:

Disc: 1
1. Old Fool Back on Earth
2. God Pan
3. My Fairy in the Crystal Reeds (And Other Frogs)
4. Nymphéas
5. Alone?
6. Angel of Love
7. Dolorosa (sampled above)
8. Woman
9. Solitario
10. Infinite Human
11. Wish I Could Stay
Disc: 2
1. Nightbird-The Forest
2. Nightbird-The City
3. Nightbird-The Island
4. Minotaur
5. Nuit et Solitude
6. Alone Again
7. I Call You My Love

Frost - Milliontown

Frost is a new project founded by musician, songwriter and producer Jem Godfrey. Supported by studio musician John Boyes, John Mitchell (KINO, Arena, The Urbane) and two members of the band IQ, John Jowitt and Andy Edwards, Frost combines gripping song structures, refined vocal arrangements, virtuoso instrumental passages, studio trickery, electronic elements, beautiful keyboards, poppy vocals, great guitar work, gorgeous symphonic moments, amazing drum work, subtle electronica textures, cinematic vibe, slightly industrial beats, processed vocals and clever mixing. The tracks are always clever and to the point. Frost marries the hallmarks of pop and progressive rock with modern recording and production techniques. Milliontown is an outstanding debut. It's a must-have for fans of neo-prog but it will certainly appeal to any rock fan. Enjoy the “Sample” below and support this band by buying the CD or downloading the whole album.

Track Listing:

1. Hyperventilate
2. No Me No You
3. Snowman
4. The Other Me
5. Black Light Machine
6. Milliontown

Buy Milliontown at Amazon or